Surfing, Kiteboarding, Windsurfing and Bodyboarding News Center. Breaking News, Surfing Games, Surf Movies, Board Size Charts, Surf Videos, Wind and Wave Forecasts, Surf Shop, Surf Spots, Surf Cams, Surf Travel.
Shane Simmonds wins first stage of the Jamaican Surfing Open Series
Tuesday, 17 January 2012 09:32

Shane Simmonds: slippery when wet

Shane Simmonds has won the first event of the Jamaica Surfing Association's 2012 National Open Series, held at Lighthouse Beach. The best 19 surfers of Jamaica faced off in classic surfing conditions, at the world renowned surf spot.


The swell was pumping in overhead sets in the glassy conditions and the surfers were chewing at the bit for a chance to show their worth.

The semifinal round was a scorcher. The first heat had Icah Wilmot, Michael Panton, Inilek Wilmot, Ronald Hastings, Ivah Wilmot and Jamoy Hall paddling out. 19 waves were ridden. Michael opened up the heat strongly and held the momentum for most of the 20 minutes.

Icah and Inilek were struggling to find waves and the result was beginning to look very interesting. Ivah took off on a wave and had a bad fall forcing him to with draw from the heat and settling for 11th place leaving the other 5 surfers to duke it out.

By the final horn the judges had Icah with the lead followed closely by Michael and Inilek for the other 2 spots in the final. Young Ronald finished 4th in the heat for equal 7th place points and Jamoy 5th for equal 9th place points.

The second semifinal was a 5 surfer affair between Garren, Ackeam, Shane, Shama and Akeem. 22 waves were ridden. Garren had his best heat of the contest as he shredded the Lighthouse lefts with authority. Ackeam offered the most competition but finished in second.

Shane got a brilliant wave in the opening seconds of the heat but struggled to find a back-up score and managed to hold on to 3rd and the remaining spot in the final.

It all came down to the final. The on shore wind had come up and was howling as Jamaica’s top 6 competitive surfers Shane, Icah, Inilek, Ackeam, Garren and Michael faced off for the last time in the event. 29 waves were caught with high scores difficult to come by in the breezy conditions. Shane started the heat strongly and by his third wave had a commanding lead.

Defending national champ was floundering and couldn’t seem to find a wave to give him a chance and was desperately searching. Inilek sat patiently and found 2 waves out of his 3 that made a statement. Aerial specialist Ackeam was trying but couldn’t land any of his attempts and had to depend on good old fashioned ripping to get 2 scores.

Garren, like Icah, was searching for a wave or two but was getting skunked while Michael couldn’t seem to find his groove. As the heat wound down Icah got 2 quick ones and moved up the standings and at the horn was able to take second behind Boston Bay’s Shane Simmonds who walked away with the 1000 points for the win.

The next event of the JSA 2012 NOS will be held on Saturday 11th February at Peenie Wally surf beach, Buff Bay, Portland.

Final results of Round #1 of the 2012 Jamaican National Open Series:

1st - Shane Simmonds
2nd - Icah Wilmot
3rd - Inilek Wilmot
4th - Ackeam Phillips
5th - Garren Pryce


 

Join our surfing community in Facebook!   Get the top news stories in your Twitter account!   SurferToday.com on Google +   Follow us on Pinterest   SurferToday on Youtube

The best surf watches in the world
Wave Height Forecast
Wind Speed and Direction Forecast
Wave Period
Surf Videos
Surf Books
Surf Movies
Online Surfing Games

SURFING

Bumpy waves decide quartefinalists in Barra da Tijuca
19/05/2013
article thumbnail

Filipe Toledo and Jordy Smith scored Perfect 10 waves in Billabong Rio Pro 2013, at Barra da Tijuca, Brazil, as the event enters Quarterfinals.
Despite the improved three-to-five foot (1.5 metre) barrels, the best surfers in the world had to battle bumpy wave faces. Toledo, the 2013 ASP Dream Tour rookie, put together an immaculate alley-oop to air-reverse combination, securing a perfect 10-point ride for the effort.


The most shark-infested waters in the world
17/05/2013
article thumbnail

There are over 470 species of sharks and they have been living on Planet Earth for 420 million years.
The smallest shark - the dwarf lantern shark - is only 17 centimeters (6.7 inches) in length, while the whale shark is the largest specie in the world, with approximately 12 meters (39 feet). Sharks live in all oceans down to depths of 2,000 meters (6,600 feet). Usually, they do not live in freshwater with the exception of the bull shark and river shark.


+ Surfing News

KITEBOARDING

"Death loop" kills kitesurfer in Quebec
14/05/2013
article thumbnail

A 32-year-old kitesurfer has passed away when he was sailing on the Lake of Two Mountains, in Quebec, Canada.
Julien Blanchard was enjoying a kitesurfing session in the part of the river delta widening of the Ottawa River, in Quebec, when he suffered what is commonly called the "death loop". The rider was dragged to his death on the lake, after fell and being kept underwater by his kite for about 20 minutes.


Kiteboard Open 2013 set for Noordwijk
13/05/2013
article thumbnail

The Kiteboard Open 2013 will run between the 18th-20th May, in Noordwijk, Netherlands.
During three days, the west of the Netherlands is invaded by some of the best regional kitesurfers in a beach lifestyle festival. Ruben Lenten, Kevin and Jalou Langeree will be showing off in the Kiteboard Open 2013, at the their home spot.


+ Kitesurfing News

WINDSURFING

Taty Frans and Kiri Thode blast the Curacao Challenge 2013
17/05/2013
article thumbnail

Taty Frans and Kiri Thode have claimed the Slalom and Freestyle titles at the Curacao Challenge 2013, in the Netherlands Antilles.
A total of 85 windsurfers from some of the world's best sailing countries like Bonaire, Aruba and Curacao competed in front of hundreds of spectators. The 5th edition of the Curacao Challenge showcased an high level of competition mixed with a great atmosphere. The event held a Tow-In Freestyle contest, Slalom races and a SUP battle.


The windsurfing book for young people
14/05/2013
article thumbnail

"Go Windsurfing!" is a windsurfing book for young people published by the Royal Yachting Association.
Written and illustrated by Claudia Myatt, "RYA Go Windsurfing!" offers easy reading style and engaging content to children aged between 7-12 years old. The entertaining and clear format takes the reader from the beginnings through to starting to race and what they need to know to stay safe while out windsurfing. There is also an informative section at the back which explores Windsurfing amaz [ ... ]


+ Windsurfing News

BODYBOARDING

Dan Ryan air drops into vertical Teahupoo
15/05/2013
article thumbnail

Dan Ryan has scored epic air drops into deep barrels, in Teahupoo, Tahiti, during the largest swell of the year.
The adrenaline-fueled 13th May 2013 has been considered an historical big wave surfing day, in the French Polynesian island. Too big to paddle-in, too vertical for surfers. No worries. Dan Ryan, member of the big wave bodyboarding club, was one of the few prone riders defying fear, at the Teahupoo bowl. When the moment came, he went for it, big time.


World's best tube riders fly to El Gringo
14/05/2013
article thumbnail

The 2013 IBA GoPro Arica Chilean Challenge kicks off on the 17th May, in Arica, Chile, at the infamous El Gringo bodyboarding spot.
The third stop of the 2013 IBA World Tour is a Grand Slam Series events, which means there's a lot at stake. With $40,000 in prize money and 2000 points for the winner, Chile is a must. Moreover, the Arica Chilean Challenge is celebrating its 10th anniversary and all riders will be trying to claim the trophy, in front of thousands of hardcore bodyboarding fans.  [ ... ]


+ Bodyboarding News